Cavs Beat Bucks 123-116 Behind Mobley's Double-Double

Evan Mobley's big game helps Cleveland hold off Milwaukee

Mar. 18, 2026 at 2:39am

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The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 123-116, led by Evan Mobley's double-double performance of 27 points and 15 rebounds. James Harden also scored 27 points for the Cavs, who saw the return of Sam Merrill and Jaylon Tyson but were still missing Jarrett Allen and Craig Porter Jr. Milwaukee was without star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Why it matters

The Cavaliers are fighting for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference, and this win over a top team like the Bucks is an important result. However, Cleveland's defense continues to be a concern, as they struggled to contain Milwaukee's three-point shooting at times.

The details

The Cavaliers opened the game strong, with Harden and Mobley leading the way in the first quarter. But the Bucks fought back in the second quarter, hitting eight three-pointers to take the lead at halftime. Cleveland was able to hold on in the fourth quarter, thanks to key shots from Merrill, Keon Ellis and Max Strus.

  • The Cavaliers now have a 42-27 record with 13 games left before the playoffs.

The players

Evan Mobley

A 21-year-old power forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who had a standout performance with 27 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocks.

James Harden

A veteran guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who also scored 27 points in the win.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

The star forward for the Milwaukee Bucks, who missed this game due to injury.

Sam Merrill

A guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who made some key shots down the stretch to help secure the win.

Max Strus

A guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who made his season debut on Sunday and played 23 minutes in this game.

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What’s next

The Cavaliers will look to continue improving their defense as they prepare for the playoffs, with 13 games remaining in the regular season.

The takeaway

Despite the win, the Cavaliers' defensive struggles remain a concern, as they allowed the Bucks to make 8 three-pointers in the second quarter to take the lead. Improving their defense will be crucial for Cleveland as they aim to make a deep playoff run.